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Mortal Shell 2 Sidearms Guide: All 8 Ranged Weapons Ranked

Updated Sep 1, 2026 锝?Powered by Resolve, not ammo
馃幆 TL;DR: Sidearms are your ranged weapons (Crossbow, Lute, explosive launcher, etc.), and they're powered by Resolve 鈥?the same meter as your Shell abilities. The Caged Hystrix is the best all-rounder, Salvaged Trebuchaxe the heavy single-target option, and the Troubadour's Lute is a crowd-control sleeper.

1. All 8 Sidearms at a Glance

SidearmTierRole
Caged HystrixSBest all-round 鈥?quill barrage, top Resolve efficiency
Salvaged TrebuchaxeSHeavy single-target burst
Forgotten CrossbowASafest early ranged option
NaylshotteAClose-range explosive 鈥?you get this first
Troubadour's LuteBCrowd control & Confusion (also a fun bonus)
Triarch RepeaterBRapid sustained fire
BallistazookaBHeavy long-range shot
Cursed ChildCKnockback / spacing tool
鈿狅笍 Resolve is the real resource: a "strongest on paper" sidearm can be a trap if its Resolve cost is too high. Match the sidearm to your fighting style 鈥?a C-tier pick you shoot often beats an S-tier you never afford.

2. S-Tier Sidearms

Caged Hystrix

The best all-round sidearm. Fires a spread of quills that shred at close-medium range with excellent damage-per-Resolve. Pairs brilliantly with Splitting Stone (splits into more projectiles), Hag Stone (+ status application), or Accursed Stone. If you can only rely on one sidearm, this is it.

Salvaged Trebuchaxe

A heavy lobbed projectile with massive single-target damage 鈥?your "delete that elite" button. Costs more Resolve and has travel time, so it shines when you have space to aim, not in panic up close.

3. A & B-Tier Sidearms

Forgotten Crossbow

The safest early ranged weapon 鈥?steady, precise, low Resolve pain. Great for pulling enemies or finishing off runners before they reach you.

Naylshotte

A close-range explosive you obtain first. Big chunk damage at point-blank 鈥?excellent burst, but range is short, so time it as enemies close in.

Troubadour's Lute

Not pure damage 鈥?it applies Confusion/Crowd control to groups, and playing it has context fun (e.g. making frogs dance in a side quest). A sleeper pick for control players.

Triarch Repeater

Rapid-fire sustained pressure. Good for keeping enemies staggered or applying repeated status, but Resolve drains fast if you hold the trigger.

Ballistazooka

A heavy long-range artillery shot. High single hit, long range, but slow 鈥?best used to open a fight or from a safe perch.

4. C-Tier

Cursed Child

A knockback/spacing tool more than a damage dealer 鈥?pushes enemies back so you can reset. Situational, but handy for crowd-heavy zones.

5. How to Pick Yours

  1. Know your Resolve economy 鈥?fast builds can afford Triarch; burst builds want Trebuchaxe
  2. Pair the Tarstone 鈥?Splitting Stone boosts Hystrix, status stones boost repeaters
  3. Carry a panic button 鈥?Naylshotte or Cursed Child for when a boss corners you
馃幆 Bottom line: "Caged Hystrix if you want one great sidearm; Salvaged Trebuchaxe if you're bursting single targets." Remember it's powered by Resolve 鈥?budget shots into your build the same way you budget Shell abilities.

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